Valdek Castle

Valdek Castle is a ruined early Gothic stronghold from the 13th century, tucked away in the forests of the Brdy hills, within the cadastral territory of the village of Chaloupky in the Beroun District of Central Bohemia.

When was Valdek Castle built, and by whom?

The earliest written record of the castle dates to 1263. It is generally credited to Oldřich Zajíc of Valdek, a member of the Buzic family, who had it raised as a fortified residence typical of the period — a keep flanked by residential palace buildings, set on a defensible spur of land.

Where exactly do the ruins stand?

The castle occupies a promontory jutting out from the southwest slope of the Beranec hill, overlooking the valley of the Červený potok stream. The site falls within the cadastral area of Chaloupky, which has been its own self-governing municipality in the Beroun District since 2016. Both the castle and its surroundings lie inside the Brdy Protected Landscape Area (CHKO Brdy), a large, partly forested upland in Central Bohemia that was long closed to the public as a military training ground and is now largely open for visitors.

What survives of the medieval stronghold?

Extensive stretches of the fortification walls remain standing, along with a stone bergfrit — the castle's main defensive keep — and the remnants of two palace buildings that once housed its owners. Enough of the layout survives to trace the original plan of a Gothic knight's castle built on a naturally defended height.

Why is Valdek a ruin today?

The castle was besieged in 1346. Through the second half of the 14th century it changed hands frequently, mostly among lesser nobility, and in the early 15th century it briefly belonged to King Wenceslaus IV before passing between owners once again. Poor upkeep gradually took its toll: by 1623 the castle was already being described as derelict. From the time of the Thirty Years' War onward it stood abandoned for good. It was later attached to the Hořovice estate, but essentially left to decay, without repair or regular maintenance.

What role has Valdek played in Czech culture?

Toward the end of the 19th century, when the Hořovice estate belonged to the Princes of Hanau, the ruins underwent a partial, romantically minded restoration typical of the era. Earlier, during the Czech National Revival, Valdek had already become a popular destination for writers and intellectuals — Josef Jungmann was among its visitors, and its picturesque ruins inspired the work of Karel Hynek Mácha and Božena Němcová. The castle has been protected as a cultural monument since 1965.

How should you plan a visit?

The ruins sit deep in the Brdy hills, well away from larger towns, which makes them more of a destination for hikers and history enthusiasts than a stop on a mass-tourism route. Getting there means driving through the villages of the Beroun District, and reaching the castle itself requires a walk through the forest — sturdy footwear is worth packing, and it's worth checking the current access rules for the Brdy Protected Landscape Area, since parts of the former military zone still carry restrictions.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Valdek Castle? The first written mention dates to 1263, making the castle more than 750 years old.

Who founded Valdek Castle? It is credited to Oldřich Zajíc of Valdek, a member of the Buzic family.

Why is the castle in ruins today? Centuries of frequent changes of ownership and poor upkeep wore it down, and it has stood abandoned since the Thirty Years' War.

What can visitors see on site? Remnants of the fortification walls, the bergfrit keep, and the remains of two former palace buildings, all set in the forested Brdy landscape.

Where is Valdek Castle located? Within the cadastral territory of the village of Chaloupky in the Beroun District, inside the Brdy Protected Landscape Area.